The Grade III Molly Pitcher Stakes returns to Monmouth Park on Saturday, July 19, 2025, as Race 10 on the card. This $500,000 dirt stakes for fillies and mares aged 3 and up spans 1 1/16 miles, drawing a deep field of graded stakes winners, rising stars, and pedigrees built for stamina and class.
Top Contenders & Pedigree Profiles
| Horse Name | Jockey | Trainer | Pedigree Highlights | Morning Line Odds |
| Candied | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Candy Ride (ARG) × Toni Tools (Roaring Fever) | 3-1 Favorite |
| Power Squeeze | Javier Castellano | Jorge Delgado | Union Rags × Callmethesqueeze (Awesome Again) | 7-2 |
| Dorth Vader | John R. Velazquez | George Weaver | Girvin × Hardcore Candy (Yonaguska) | 4-1 |
| Randomized | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | Nyquist × French Passport (Elusive Quality) | 9-2 |
| Majestic Oops | Isaac Castillo | Dan Ward | Majestic Harbor × Miss Oops (Olmodavor) | 6-1 |
| Occult | Unknown | Chad C. Brown | Into Mischief × Magical Feeling (Empire Maker) | 6-1 |
| Leslie’s Rose | Unknown | Todd A. Pletcher | Into Mischief × Wildwood Rose (IRE) (Galileo) | 12-1 |
| Regaled | Unknown | D. Whitworth Beckman | Mohaymen × Ascot Walk (Daaher) | 15-1 |
| Chilled | Luis Saez | Victoria H. Oliver | Frosted × Snuck Out (Into Mischief) | 20-1 |
Pedigree Power Plays
Candied, by Candy Ride, is a millionaire filly with a win in the Allaire du Pont Distaff Stakes. Her dam Toni Tools adds sprinting speed to her stamina-rich pedigree. Power Squeeze, by Union Rags, has placed in multiple graded stakes and brings a strong closing kick. Her dam Callmethesqueeze adds toughness and late acceleration. Dorth Vader, by Girvin, is fresh off a Grade I win in the Ogden Phipps Stakes and looks primed to extend her dominance. Randomized, by Nyquist, has Grade I experience and a pedigree built for middle-distance dirt routes.
Jockey & Trainer Dynamics
Irad Ortiz Jr., aboard Candied, is one of the most tactical riders in the country and excels in route races.
John Velazquez, riding Dorth Vader, brings Hall of Fame experience and has guided her to multiple stakes wins. Chad Brown sends out two contenders—Randomized and Occult—both with graded stakes experience and turf-to-dirt versatility. Todd Pletcher also fields two fillies—Candied and Leslie’s Rose—both bred for stamina and class.
Race Strategy
Candied will likely stalk the pace and pounce late with Ortiz’s patient ride. Dorth Vader may press the pace early and try to kick clear in the stretch. Power Squeeze and Randomized could be value plays if the leaders tire. Majestic Oops and Occult may benefit from ground-saving trips and could hit the board.
